Computer expansion system including expansion base and monitor support structure

ABSTRACT

A base cabinet system is provided for a laptop computer, on which the laptop can be placed for expanded home-based use. A reinforced removable cover arches over the top of the base cabinet so that the laptop can be slid into position on top of the base cabinet and beneath the cover, and the monitor rested on the top of the cover; when one wishes to use the laptop display, the monitor and cover are easily removed to permit tilt-up of the laptop display. Special retaining means are provided to assure that the cover seats itself and remains in its proper installed position, and special guides are provided to assure that when the laptop is slid into position the connector on its rear side will mate properly with the corresponding connector on the base cabinet. A leveraged actuator system is provided so that an operator, by exerting a modest force on a manual actuator at the front of the system, can apply a multiplied force between base cabinet and laptop computer to disengage the laptop connector from the base cabinet connector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/688,744, filed on Jul.31, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,061, which is, in turn, a continuationof application Ser. No. 08/296,737, filed Aug. 26, 1994, now U.S. Pat.No. 5,561,589, which is, in turn, a continuation of application Ser. No.07/774,203, filed Oct. 10, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,686, which is,in turn, a continuation-in-part of Design application Ser. No.07/597,769, filed on Oct. 15, 1990.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an expansion base and expansion-base systemfor a portable computer, and particularly to a desk top expansion basefor a notebook type of laptop personal computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable computers are now well known, of which the so-called "laptop"computer is an example. The laptop computer generally has asubstantially parallelopiped outer form, with a tilt-up display screen,and is of a weight and size making it very easy to carry and use onone's lap. A small version of the portable computer is commonlydesignated as a "notebook" personal computer, typically weighing aboutsix pounds. Such portable computers, while being very effective forspecific purposes, are generally somewhat limited in the computercapabilities which they can provide, particularly because of their smallsize, and because of their relatively low permissible power drain, inview of the fact that they must be battery operated.

To retain the useful physical size characteristics of a small portablecomputer while it is being used as such, while expanding itscapabilities when it is at a home base, it is known to provide anexpansion base on which the portable computer can be placed and to whichit can be electrically interconnected. The expansion base typicallycontains suitable power supply electronics for supplying power to theadjacent portable computer and also carries electronic equipment such asadditional memory, provision for additional optional cards, modemequipment, etc. to expand the computer capabilities of the portable. Topermit this electronic expansion, typically the portable is provided atits rear vertical surface with a multi-pin connector, and a matingconnector is provided on the expansion base so that the two connectorscan be mated by sliding the laptop horizontally toward the expansionbase connector until the two connectors mate.

Some drawbacks exists with such known forms of systems. First, theexternal monitor which is connected to the portable computer when in useon the expansion base has typically been placed beside the laptopcomputer, or on a special shelf or suspension system nearby. In general,it could not be placed upon the top of the laptop because the relativelygreat weight of a typical monitor cannot safely be supported on therelatively flimsy end fragile top of the closed portable computer.

Furthermore, it is relatively difficult to remove the laptop computerfrom its position on the usual expansion base because of the substantialforces required to disconnect the multi-contact connectorinterconnecting the portable computer and the expansion base. Thisconnector may typically have up to nearly two hundred pins andcorresponding sockets, and a separating force of as much as abouttwenty-five pounds may be required. While it is feasible to place ahandle on the laptop computer to aid one in forcing the laptop todisconnect from the expansion base, this procedure is rather awkward andrequires application of substantial force.

Another typical drawback of such assemblies is that it is often somewhatdifficult to provide the alignment necessary to slide the portable ontothe expansion base so accurately that the pins and sockets of therespective connectors mate exactly, and do not become misaligned by asmall amount which may nevertheless cause damage to the connector systemand make assembly difficult.

A further drawback is that if the portable computer is merely placed ontop of the expansion base and the two connectors mated, there isopportunity during the assembly or disassembly process of placingfurther undesirable strains on the connectors due to misalignment orcocking of the portable computer sideways, or even tilting upwardlyduring assembly or disassembly. Either of these occurrences may makeassembling the laptop on the base more difficult, or result in somedamage, such as bending of the connector pins.

A typical desktop expansion base of the prior art is that designated foruse with the Compaq Model LTE 286/20, sold by Compaq ComputerCorporation of Houston, Tex., which provides for the support of a laptopcomputer on an expansion base by sliding the laptop horizontally alongthe top of the expansion base until the multi-connector plug of thelaptop mates with the multi-connector plug of the expansion base, theexpansion base then providing a variety of desirable auxiliaryelectronic functions for use in connection with, and as an extension of,the laptop computer. However, this latter system has no provision forsupport of an external monitor, requires substantial force todisassemble the laptop connector from the expansion base connector, andcan present some difficulty in assuring that the laptop moves or slidesexactly horizontally and normally to the expansion base connector duringassembly so that the pins and sockets of the two connectors mate easilyand precisely.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful expansion base and expansion base system for receiving a portablecomputer on the top of an expansion base and connecting them togetherelectrically so as to provide auxiliary electrical functions for theportable computer so long as it remains in its position on the expansionbase.

It is also an object to provide such an expansion base and system whichprovide for support of an external monitor in a manner to conserve spacein the work area.

Another object is to provide such a system in which the force which theoperator must apply to disengage the connectors of the expansion baseand of the portable computer from each other is greatly reduced.

Still another object is to provide such a system in which the portablecomputer is accurately guided while it is being slid into position, sothat precise, proper mating of the connector of the portable computerand the connector of the expansion base is automatically accomplished.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects and features of the invention are realized bythe provision of an expansion system for a portable computer which usesan expansion base comprising an expansion base cabinet for receiving aportable computer on its top and containing auxiliary electricalapparatus for use in connection with the portable computer resting uponit. The monitor-support structure is itself supported on the expansionbase, and extends over the top of the portable computer when in place toprovide a top platform upon which the external monitor may be restedsafely. To provide the requisite strength, this monitor supportstructure is preferably made of metal-reinforced plastic material, andis keyed to the portion of the base cabinet upon which its rests so asto prevent its dislodgement by horizontal motion.

The front of the cover, or monitor-support structure, is preferablyopen, so that the portable computer can be slid into position on top ofthe expansion base without removal of the monitor support structure.However, the monitor-support structure is preferably easily removable byupward motion, so that one can easily removes it and tilt up the screenof the portable computer for use as the display device.

Preferably also, the expansion base is provided with a remotelyactuatable pusher connected to a remote actuator on the expansion basecabinet which, when actuated, causes the pusher to apply a separatingforce between portable computer and the expansion cabinet, to causeseparation of the connector on the portable computer from the connectoron the expansion base. Preferably a substantial mechanical advantage isprovided between the force necessary to operate the actuator for thispurpose and the separating force thereby delivered between the portablecomputer and expansion base, to greatly reducing the amount of operatorforce required to accomplish the desired separation.

Preferably, a linkage between the actuator and the pusher is providedwhich consists of a pair of arms pivoted to each other at one end, theother end of a first of them being connected to the actuator and theother end of the second arm being connected to the pusher; a pivot isthen preferably provided for the second arm which divides that arm intoa length between pivot and pusher which is small compared to the lengthbetween pivot and the other end of the second arm. With thisarrangement, mechanical pushing of the actuator moves the first armlinearly, thereby pivoting the second arm about its pivot and moving thepusher to effect connector disengagement, with a minimum ofoperator-applied force.

Also preferably provided to assure that the portable computer is movedinto position on the expansion base exactly along the desired horizontaldirection, there is provided an alignment pin mounted on the expansionbase and extending horizontally forwardly toward a corresponding socketon the rear of the portable computer, to assure such alignment as willenable the pins of the connectors to be centered directly in the propercorresponding sockets of the other connector during assembly; alsopreferably provided are at least one spring-biased guide latch on eachside of the path of travel of the portable computer as it is slid intoposition, these guide latches being urged inwardly into correspondinggrooves on each side of the portable computer, thereby preventingsubstantial tilting or lifting of the portable computer as it is slidinto position and also reducing the amount of lateral cocking of theportable computer which may occur due to clearance between the outsideof the portable computer and the inside of the opening through which itis inserted.

The preferred embodiment of the invention therefore comprises anexpansion base system which provides for superjacent support of anexternal monitor while enabling use of the tilt-up monitor of theportable computer when desired, provides low-force separation of theconnector plug elements when it is desired to remove the portablecomputer from its position on the expansion base, and assures easy,precise alignment of the connector elements as the portable computer isslid into position to assure exact, easy, damage-free mating of the twoconnectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention will be more readily understood from a consideration ofthe following detailed description, taken in connection withaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of a conventional portablecomputer, an expansion base according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a conventional keyboard and a conventional monitor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the expansion base, with the coverexploded upwardly;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the expansion base of FIG. 2, with thecover removed and parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the expansion base of FIG. 3, withthe cover in place.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover, or monitor platform; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cover, with parts broken away.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 10--10 of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 11--11 of FIG.3;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, takenalong lines 12--12 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along lines13--13 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a view like that of FIG. 13, but with the laptop in aslightly different position; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 15--15 of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary plan view showing a laptop computer having justbeen disconnected from the expansion base socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in thedrawings by way of example only, and without thereby in any way limitingthe scope of the invention, FIG. 1 shows a complete system comprising anexpansion base 10 in accordance with the invention, with a laptopcomputer 12 mounted thereon, a computer monitor 14 resting on top of thecover portion 16 of the expansion base, and a standard alphanumerickeyboard 18 appropriately connected to the electronics within the base.Shown schematically is a compartment 20 within the base containingadditional auxiliary equipment such as a DC converter to run the laptopcomputer, appropriate additional cards for the laptop computer and anyother special modems or devices which it is desired to provide by wayexpansion of the capabilities of the laptop computer.

The expansion base 10 comprises an expansion base cabinet 22 containingthe above-mentioned circuitry, as well as in this example providing formounting of digital mass storage devices at 24 at the front face of thebase cabinet. A cover or platform portion 16 of the expansion baseoverlies the top of the base cabinet and provides a horizontal flatsurface upon which the monitor 14 rests, in normal desk operation of thesystem.

As can be seen particularly clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 16 hassidewalls 28 which rest upon upstanding shoulders 31 provided on eachside and near the front of the top of the expansion base cabinet. Therear portion of the cover 16 rests upon the top of the enclosed rearportion of the base cabinet (see FIG. 4). Upstanding lands 30 atop eachshoulder 31 position the cover against rearward and sideward motion byfitting within the ribbed openings 34 and 36 (see FIG. 5) at the sidesand near the front of the cover. Forward motion of the cover when inplace is prevented by the small tabs 38 (FIGS. 4 and 9) extendingdownwardly at the rear of the cover, which snap into position justbehind and against the rear surface of the base cabinet.

The front wall of the cover 16 is apertured at 40 so as to permit thelaptop computer 12 to slide through it when it is positioned on top ofthe base cabinet, and thus permit placement of the laptop in and out ofposition on top of the base cabinet without removal of the monitor 14 orcover 16, when so desired. However, the monitor and cover can be removedand the laptop placed in position on the base cabinet so that its topopening lid carrying its own display can be opened upwardly, when use ofthat display is desired.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover 16, which may beprimarily of a strong plastic material, preferably is made withstrengthening ribs such as 44 of integral plastic material, and with aU-shaped metal strengthening channel 46 extending across the undersideof the front of the cover adjacent the front opening, secured thereto bysuitable fasteners such as 48, which may be in the nature of heatsoftenable plastic rivets. The cover is thereby made so as to withstandthe considerable weight of the monitor 14 which is placed upon it.

On a vertical wall 50 of the base cabinet facing the front thereof is amultipin socket 52 (FIG. 2), which typically may have as many as about200 sockets for connection to corresponding pins on the connector 54 atthe back of the laptop computer (see FIG. 16). The laptop is installedby sliding it horizontally and rearwardly along the top of the basecabinet until the pins extending from connector 54 enter and mate withthose of the wall-mounted connector 52. In this way the necessaryelectrical connections are provided between the laptop and the internalelectronic components of the expansion base, such as the circuitry forreplacing the battery supply in the laptop with rectified alternatingcurrent from a converter in the base cabinet, along with otherappropriate power and signal leads.

To aid in assuring that the many-pinned connector 54 of the laptopcomputer mate with the connector elements of the base cabinet socket 52,an alignment pin 60 (FIGS. 3 and 11) is provided on the same rear wallas the socket 52, mounted preferably as shown in the Figures byattachment to a right-angle bracket 62 mounted on the base cabinet. Thealignment pin 60 is directly aligned with a corresponding opening in therear of the laptop computer, and is tapered at its forward end so thatas the laptop is slid into position the alignment pin enters thealigning opening on the laptop computer and eases the computer intoexactly the correct lateral position to accomplish the desired mating ofthe multipin, multisocket connectors.

In order to assure proper lateral positioning and to avoid cocking andundesired upward lifting of the laptop, side guide latches 66 and 68 areprovided (FIGS. 2, 12 and 13-15), one on each side of the path alongwhich the laptop slides as it assumes its position on the base cabinet.Grooves such as 70 are provided on each side of the laptop, and eachguide latch is mounted on the inner face of one of the shoulders 31 ofthe base cabinet. Each latch comprises the actual guide member 72, whichis slideably mounted on a track 74 for reciprocating motion laterally ofthe path of the laptop, and is spring-biased outwardly into the path ofthe laptop by the spiral spring 76. The guide is rounded at both forwardand rearward edges to provide cam-like surfaces so that, as shownparticularly in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the rearward side corner of thelaptop first engages the rounded corner of the guide member 72, thelatter will be urged inwardly against spring compression and will thenslide in the groove 76 to provide the desired lateral guidance, and toprevent upward and downward motion of the laptop computer. Upon removalof the laptop, the spring again urges the latch member outwardly intoposition for the next operation. Since a latch is provided on each sideof the path of the laptop computer, the computer is held against cockingmotion or upright lifting of it, which might either jam the computer inits entrance way or damage the rear connector pins.

FIGS. 3 and 7 show a preferred embodiment of an arrangement for enablingdisconnection of the laptop computer from the rear connector when it isdesired to remove the laptop computer. A first reciprocable arm 80 ismounted at one side of the base cabinet so as to be free to performlongitudinal sliding motion; to guide it, the vertical retainers 84extend through longitudinally extending slots 86. The forward end of thearm 80 is directly connected to a manually reciprocal actuator 85 at thefront of the base cabinet, to permit the operator to push the actuatorand move the arm 80 rearwardly. One end 88 of a second arm 90 is pivotedto the rearward end of first arm 80 by the pivot pin 92, and the latterarm is also pivoted about pivot 94 extending vertically from the basecabinet.

Accordingly, when the operator moves the manual actuator 85 rearwardly,the arm 80 and the arm 88 move from the position shown in full line tothose shown in broken line in FIG. 3. The pivot pin 94 is located at aposition spaced from the distal end 96 of arm 90, but nearer theretothan to the pivot pin 92 joining the two arms. Accordingly, only arelatively small amount of force need be applied by the operator to themanual actuator to produce a substantial, multiplied rotational force atthe distal end 96 of the arm 90.

The latter arm is directly connected to the pusher element 98 extendingthrough the wall 50 of the base cabinet, just below the connector 52, inthe region normally occupied by the rear of the laptop computer when itis installed. The latter pusher is secured to the distal end 96 of thearm 90 by a vertical pin 100 which permits the pusher to rotate freelythrough an angle, so that when the pusher element contacts the rear ofthe laptop computer, and arm 90 is rotated further, the face of thepusher will remain flat against the rear of the laptop computer, asdesired. Thus, when it is desired to remove the laptop computer, theoperator merely pushes rearwardly the manual actuator 85, which causesthe pusher element 98 to be urged against the rear of thelaptop-computer with multiplied force, thus forcing disconnection of thelaptop computer mounted connector from the expansion-base mountedconnector, while requiring only relatively low force from the operator.

There has therefore been provided an expansion base system whichprovides for support of an external monitor, while enabling use of thetilt-up monitor of the computer itself when desired, which provides forseparation of the connection elements of the laptop computer connectorand of the expansion base connector by the application of only smallforces by the operator, and which assures easy, precise alignment of theconnector elements as the laptop computer is slid into position on theexpansion base thereby to assure exact, easy, damage-free mating of thetwo connectors.

While the invention has been described with particular reference tospecific embodiments, in the interest of complete definiteness, it willbe understood that it may be embodied in a variety of forms diverse fromthose specifically shown and described, without departing form thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer expansion system comprising:anexpansion base including an upper surface for receiving a portablecomputer in a rest position, the portable computer of the type whichincludes an integral display screen, the expansion base includingelectronics for coupling to electronics in the portable computer; and aremovable monitor support structure for supporting a monitor, thesupport structure for resting on the upper surface of the expansion baseabove at least a portion of the rest position of the portable computer.2. The system of claim 1 and further comprising the portable computer.3. The system of claim 1 and further comprising the monitor.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the expansion base electronics includes atleast one expansion slot.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the expansionbase electronics includes a digital mass storage device.
 6. The systemof claim 1 and further comprising a keyboard functionally coupled to theexpansion base.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the support structureis formed from a plastic material.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein thesupport structure includes a metal strengthening support.
 9. The systemof claim 1 wherein the support structure includes strengthening ribs.10. The system of claim 1 wherein the expansion base further includes:anelectrical connector for mating with an electrical connector on theportable computer, and a pusher for forcibly disconnecting the expansionbase connector from the portable computer connector.
 11. The system ofclaim 10 wherein the pusher comprises a means for applying a separationforce between the portable computer and the expansion base.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the means for applying a separation forceincludes a remote, manually operable actuator.
 13. The system of claim 1wherein the monitor support structure extends upwardly from theexpansion base and horizontally across and above the rest position ofthe portable computer.
 14. The system of claim 1 and further comprisinga guide pin mounted on the expansion base and extending forwardly andhorizontally within the expansion base.
 15. A computer expansion basecomprising:a housing including a wall accommodating an expansion baseconnector coupled to expansion base electronics; said housing alsoincluding a surface for receiving a portable computer of the type whichincludes an attached display screen and a computer connector for matingwith the expansion base connector to couple electronics in the portablecomputer with said expansion base electronics; and a monitor supportstructure removably attachable to the expansion base housing forsupporting a monitor, the support structure positioned to bridge over aportable computer when the portable computer is positioned on saidsurface with its connector mated with the expansion base connector. 16.A system including the computer expansion base of claim 15 incombination with a portable computer, the portable computer including anattached display screen and a connector for mating with said expansionbase connector to couple electronics in the portable computer with saidexpansion base electronics.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein theportable computer connector is mated with the expansion base connector.18. A computer system enabled for two separate displays, the systemcomprising:a computer including computer electronics and a firstdisplay; and an expansion unit for receiving the computer, the expansionunit including auxiliary electronics for coupling to the computerelectronics, the expansion unit also including a monitor supportstructure, wherein the monitor support structure extends upwardly fromthe expansion base and horiizontally across and above the rest positionof the portable computer, wherein the computer generates a visual outputwhich can be viewed by a user by one of:(1) the first display; or (2) asecond display which is physically distinct from the computer and restsabove the expansion base upon the monitor support structure, the seconddisplay for being electrically coupled to the computer through theexpansion base.
 19. The system of claim 18 and further comprising thesecond display.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the second displaycomprises a monitor.
 21. The system of claim 18 wherein the expansionbase further includes a connector for mating with a connector on theportable computer, and a pusher for forcibly disconnecting the expansionbase connector from the portable computer connector.
 22. The system ofclaim 21 wherein the pusher comprises a means for applying a separationforce between the portable computer and the expansion base.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22 wherein the force applying means includes a remote,manually operable actuator.
 24. A computer system comprising:a portablecomputer having a housing, a tilt-up display, and computer electronicswithin the housing; a base unit including an upper surface for receivingthe computer in a rest position, the base unit including at least oneelectrical component which can be coupled to the computer electronics;at least one expansion slot within the base unit; a digital mass storagedevice mounted within the base unit; and a monitor support unit forresting on the upper surface of the base unit, the monitor support forsupporting a monitor over the rest position of the portable computer.25. An apparatus for use with a portable computer having a bottom side,opposite front and rear sides, opposite left and right sides, and afirst connector carried on said rear side, said apparatus comprising:abase structure having:a generally flat bottom side positionable on ahorizontal support surface such as a desktop, a top side portion havingfront and rear sections and a front end, said front section beingoperative to support the bottom computer side for sliding movement ofthe computer thereon rear side first toward said rear section of saidtop side portion, opposite left and right side edge portions, and a pairof vertical walls extending in front-to-rear directions along said leftand right side edge portions and having side edge sections projectingupwardly beyond said top side portion and being operative to slidinglyengage the left and right computer sides, in a manner maintaining adesired left-to-right horizontal alignment of the computer, as thecomputer is moved rear side first rearwardly along said top sideportion; an electrical connector mateable with said first connector onthe portable computer; and a monitor support structure including aplatform upon which a monitor may be rested, and a support structuredepending from an underside portion of said platform.
 26. The apparatusof claim 25 and further comprising a securing mechanism for releasablyinterconnecting said monitor support structure and said support basestructure in a manner supporting said platform above said electricalconnector in a generally parallel relationship with the horizontalsupport surface.